Ghosts of Gauntcliff IC: Chapter 1

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Bennedict Gehrman," the wiry man testily responds, "And my wife, Charlotte." He releases a long breath, turning away for a moment. "Apologies for my rudeness, sir. Herr Sancerre and I have been through a lot together. And, well, I am a bit protective of him. He has been through too much already. I am hoping that this place can serve as a sanctuary for him, frankly. And, it would seem, I could use some as well." He looks guiltily at Juergin, "Perhaps I should not be handing out lectures on manners, either."

"What of you, Monsieur? What brings you here?"

"My pleasure, sir. And with such a beautiful woman at your side, I now find myself doubly envious of you." He smiles warmly. "I am also seeking a rest at Gauntcliff. My studies at L'Académie have been difficult, and news of Monsieur Sancerre's chateau provided an ideal opportunity for a short break. I confess, though, that I wish to see whether the chateau makes its own food or imports everything. Agriculture is a favorite subject of mine, you see, and I may be able to learn a new technique or two." He shrugs. "It seems that a difficulty in relaxing may be a trait we have in common, sir! In any event, I look forward to meeting our host. Should my experience with Monsieur Sancerre be even half as favorable as yours clearly has, I will be his passionate advocate when I next confront the nattering gossips back in Pont-a-Museau."

[Adam]

Bennedict smiles, any previously imagined slight obviously forgotten. "I shall be certain to introduce you after we arrive, and may join you in your studies. Botany has become a...hobby of mine of late. It would be interesting to investigate some of the local flora."

[ewancummins]

While the group on the foredeck has been engaged in conversation, the Peryton has sailed ever closer to the island of Gauntcliff.

Now the sloop has rounded the cliffs to the east, and glided gently into the mouth of a small bay. The shoreline is sandy with grassy dunes mounting beyond the gentle slope of the beach.
The beach appears unmarked by human works, except for a single wooden pier that runs maybe thirty paces into the bay from the western end of the beach. Something about the size of a man; crumpled, brown, and bulging rests on the landward end of the pier, but at this distance it's hard to tell just what this thing might be.


From his position amidships, the skipper bawls out orders to the crew-

''Make ready to drop anchor, boys! Lower the mainsail! "

[steveflam]

Juergin's attention is now drawn to the island. He gets a good look at it now and begins thinking like a person who wished to hide something to be retrieved later. If I were a pirate, where would I hide something on this island, he thinks to himself. His hand reaches out and touches Petrie's arm lightly. He swallows and looks at the large man. In as low a voice as he possibly can, he crouches and pretends to adjust his boot, speaks for the mans benefit. "Listen to me carefully, Petrie. I have sometink I must share vis you when we vill haff a spare moment alone." He puts a finger to his lips and stands, observing the island again.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

There's a glint in the priest's eyes when the woman steps on the deck. "Ah, Eliana, you're just in time! It looks like we'll be striking land soon." He squinted at the hunched figure near the pier.

"Now what in the nine is that?"

[ewancummins]

Elliana takes up a position beside Dorgio and looks towards the pier.
She squints in the bright sunlight.


''I don't know, but it looks a bit like a man. It could just be a pile of...Umm, it just moved.''

[steveflam]

Juergin eyes the pier as well now, having been made aware by Dorgio and Elliana the form there. "Jahvol! It did moven? Vot is dat tink? Ist it even human? Hey maybe it ist a hermit, ja? A beach vagabond, ja, dot is it."

[ewancummins]

Elliana says-

''I think it moved. At this distance, I can't be sure..."

The brown, crumpled figure is as far from the ship as a strong archer might shoot. Anyone looking with naked eyes can make out what might be a humanlike figure. The sun's glare makes it a bit hard to tell.

[PathOfDreams]

The large warrior adjusts his hat a touch lower on his brow to shield his eyes further from the sunlight. He aquires the image on the pier quickly though he wastes little time trying to identify it difinitively from this distance. Petrie stoops to stow his spear along the rail behind his bag and shield and jaunts over to where the captain is piloting the vessel.

Pointing out toward the pier, Petrie addresses the leader of the ship, "I wonder Cap'n if you might spy that object on the pier with your long-glass. Just curious, 'cus it's queer looking from 'ere."

[ewancummins]

The captain, busy directing the crew, replies in a rushed but not hostile tone-

''What? Him? Sancerre's servant, no doubt. Now, quit flapping your jaws and get you arse in that rowboat! You're taking the paying passengers ashore. Don't forget you're still on working passage."

[steveflam]

OOC : Sorry I lost a post somewhere ;(


IC: Juergin reaches into his pack and removes a spyglass! Looking at the pier with it he nearly drops his spyglass, gasping out loud. His hands shake a little as he relates what he saw to anyone near him in a loud shaky voice.

"Mein Gott! It haff an long hairy nose unt redf red eyes like unt animal. Unt it smiled at me, showink pointy teeth in deiner red mouth! Schweinhunt! Gott in Himmel vot ist dot? Mein Gott! Mein Gott!"

[ewancummins]

Charlotte gasps at Juergin's frightened outburst, but then she quickly recovers her decorum.

''Boy, are you feeling well? Too much sun, maybe..."

Elliana asks Juergin-

''May I have a look though your glass, young man?"

[steveflam]

Juergin nearly jumps out of his boots. "Scheisse, you haff startlet me. Unt ja, you can. You do not belief me? I maybe young but am the only survivor uff a pirate attack on my father's ship. Ja, deiner only survivor, ju heard me. I am very well." The youth is now mad, to say the least.

At Elliana's question he merely hands his spyglass over to her roughly. He says nothing and stomps away, face red and furious.

[PathOfDreams]

At the captain's remarks Petrie grabs all his gear, seeks out the landing boat and begins to prepare it for launch once the Peryton's anchor is set.

[RocEter]

Thom appears on the foredeck, noticing the group gathering near the bow of the ship he makes his way towards them. However he stops short when he notices Everline in her dress and moves toward her instead. Stopping in front of her he smiles and takes her hand, bowing gracefully he kiss the back her hand gently. "Everline, a pleasure to see you again. I should have suspected you would be here, might I say you look very beautiful in a dress." He says to her then gives her his best smile.

Taking a step back from her, Thom looks her over again. "You got the skill to look the part of the social elite but what about the act?" He says the question sound more of a challenge then actual question.